Method and means for winding coils



Aug. 16, 1949. c. A. MILLER METHOD AND MEANS FOR WINDING COILS 6 sheets sheet 1 Filed May a, 1946 W E 52g o i J 2 INVENITOR. 6. fl M /z My I0 TicE- Ma c. A. MILLER I 2,479,391 METHOD AND MEANS FOR WIENDING COILS Filed May a, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Z4ar I 24b INVENTOR.

Filed May 5, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 1949- /c. A. MILLER I 2,479,391

METHOD AND MEANS FOR WINDING- COILS INVE NTOR.

v an M Aug. 16, 1949. c. A. MILLER METHOD AND MEANS FOR WINDING COILS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4' Filed May 5, 1946 Ila INVENTOR.

Aug. 16 1949. N c. A. MILLER 2,479,391

METHOD AND MEANS FOR WINDING COILS 7 Filed May a, 1946 N e Sheets-Sheet 5 I x/ la- .15. TREE I 5. d4

ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, 1949. c. A MILLER 2,479,391

METHOD AND MEANS FOR WINDING COILS Filed May a, 1946 '6 Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug. 16 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,479,391 METHOD ANDMEA'Ns FOR wiuiirsecoiss Clifford A. Miller, Cleveland, Ohio Application Maya, 1946; serial No. mass" 20 Claims. 1

My invention relates to the winding of wire coils, such as employed inele'ctric motors-and comprises a novel method and novel apparatus for winding such coils.

My invention has particular application to field coils for electric motors. Such field coils of the type to which my invention relates commonly comprise units or sets of coils, each unitor set comprising a pair of coils of opposite polarity electrically connectedtogether', each coil consisting of an inner and outer'c'oil-winding, both windin'gs electrically connected-- together and positioned face to face, aniline-windings of one coil of each pair running in one direction and the windings of the other ooil o'f'each pair running in an opposite direction.

It has been heretofore known in'the art to provide field coils of the general type referred to and with the two windings of each coil both formed ofa single piece of wire.- It has been customary; heretofore, however, to wind the two coils of each unit or set separately and then connect them to gether, as by means of soldering-the e'nds of'the two coils of the amt or pair together fortheelect'rical connectionthereof as a unit consisting of a pair of coils of opposite polarity. It has also been proposed to wind such coil'units 'by hand from a single continuous length of wire.

Obviously, the soldering or other mechanical connection of the ends of the two coils of a pair or set, or the hand'winding of the unit, isa tedious and time-"taking operation requiring considerable skill and adding materiallyto the cost'o'f producing field coils of the type referred to.

An'im'portan't object of the invention hasbeen to providea machine for winding'a coil unit of the type referred tof'rom a single continuous length'of wire. 9

Another object of the invention, therefore, has

cus length of wire in a *very rapfd and expeditious manner.

' between' side bysid'e windings 'when the wire is wound upon said form in accordance with the method of my invention. I

Still another obj of the invention *is to 9 pro vide a novel method and nieans forsimultaneously winding from 'a-sln'gle continuous length of wire two windings of a col! in side by side relation upon the sam'e' coil fo'rir'n A further object of the invention-has been to provide a machine for the purposedescribed. comprising a novel arrangement of coil form and supply spoolcarryingandidrlving instrumentalities whereby thesan'ie ardiivenirom a single power source in sucha' -nian'ner thatthe coil form is'rotated and the-supplyspool -caused to travel in an orbit about the rotational axis ofthe 0051 form at an orbit revolution speed difierent from the coil form rotational speed. v

Other objects; advantages, and features of the invention will appear fromth'e following detail r description of' the invention taken 9 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is-a top plan-view of a machine for winding wire colls' and embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional-view take'n'on the line 2- of Figure 1;

Figure 3-is detail viewssho't'vingmore particularly one of coil' fanning spools of' 'the machine illustrated in igure 1, and -looking' in the directlon of line S 30i Figure-I0.

Figure 43s aseca neuview taken about on the 111194-401 Figure-3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken-about'onthe line-*fi-SOfFlg-ilrQ;

Fig'ures ligand '7 1 are detail views oi the locking device 'for locking th'esections of the 'coil forming spool tog'etheri I I F1gure' 8 is 'an emerged detail view =of-one of the su'pply'spools and a' poi'tion oi the arm which earries'ethe sanda -said supply :spool being adapted for supplying wire for orie of the windingsfor one of the coils adapted -to be produced by-the machine.

lFigure 9' is a-secuonel vie'w' takenpn-the line 9-49 ofFigure 2, and 'illustrating -details of the cam operated lock means for locking the'movable shaft supportingstandard 1h "place with respect to'the fra'rne of the machine.

Figure 10; isa=sectional- -view=taken-substantially -onthe line 11 111 of-=F1gure 2kand illustratirig the manner in' which a si'ngle' length of 3 wire is associated with the supply spools and the coil forming spools, enabling the production of a coil set of the type for which the invention is designed.

Figure 11 is an enlarged partial side elevation of the machine, showing particularly one of the coil forming spools, the supply spool for supplying the wire for one of the windings of one of the coils, and the rotatable arm carrying said supply spool.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the machine, showing particularly one of the coil forming spools, this view illustrating a modification of the invention in reference to the provision of spring actuated guide fingers for guiding the wire onto the coil forming spool.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken about on the line I3-I3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken about on the line I4-I4 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a plan view of two oppositely wound coil units of my invention adapted to be produced by the machine herein illustrated and described, said view illustrating the general relationship of said units when employed in a motor.

Figure 16 is an edge elevation of the left hand coil unit illustrated in Figure 15, looking toward the right of said figure.

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line I'I-II of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a sectional view on the line I8l8 of Figure 15.

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken on the line I9I9 of Figure 15.

Figure 20 is an edge elevation of the right hand coil unit illustrated in Figure 15, looking toward the left of said figure.

Figure 21 is a sectional view taken on the line 2I-2I of Figure 15.

Figure 22 is a sectional view taken on the line 2222 of Figure 15.

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken on the line 2323 of Figure 15.

Figure 24 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, but showing certain of the parts in separated position, as when the separable portions of the coil form are separated for removal of the wound coil from the coil form.

Figure 25 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a coil form usable for winding a different one of the coil units of Figure 15 than that for which the coil form of Figure 3 is used, the view of Figure 25 being taken from the opposite side from that in which Figure 3; is taken, as in the direction indicated by line 25-25 of Figure 10.

Figure 26 is a View showing the right hand coil unit of Figure 15 in approximately the condition in which it is finally wound by the machine of my invention and just prior to removal of said unit from the machine, the dotted line position of the left hand coil of Figure 26 illustrating its final positioning with relation to the right hand coil of said unit.

Now for a better understanding of my invention, I will first describe the coil units produced by my invention, and for this purpose reference will be had to Figures 15 to 23 inclusive, and Figure 26.

Figure 15 illustrates two coil units, designated A and B, respectively, arranged in the general relation they will assume when emplaced in a suitable housing to form the field coils of a 4-pole electric motor, except that the coils respectively generally designated by the numerals l, 2, 3, and 4, will be angularly disposed with respect to one another. That is to say, coil 2 will usually be disposed in a plane at an angle to the plane of coil I, and, similarly, coil 3 will be disposed in a plane at an angle to the plane of coil 2, coil 4 will usually similarly be disposed in a plane at an angle to the plane of coil 3.

Each of the coils I, 2, 3, and 4 consists of an outer winding and an inner winding, each of the windings having an equal number of turns of wire. Referring first to coil unit A, consisting of coils I and 2, coil I comprises an outer winding Ia having a lead wire Ib; the inner turn Ic of the winding Ia is bent diagonally inwardly (Fig. 21) and its continuation forms the inner turn of the inner winding Id. The extension ie of the outer turn of the inner winding Id forms a cross-over between the coils I and 2 which becomes the outer turn of the inner winding 2d of coil 2. The inner turn of the winding Zdis bent diagonally laterally to form a cross-over 2c, the continuation of which becomes the inner turn of the outer coil 2a. The outer turn of the winding 2a is extended to form the lead 2b. The coil unit B is formed similarly to the coil unit A except that the coil unit B is formed by winding the coils in reverse directions from that of the coil unit A. The corresponding portions of the coil unit B are designated by the reference characters 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3e, and 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 46 corresponding to the portions previously described in reference to coil unit A.

It will be noted that the coil unit A comprising the coils I and 2 with their respective outer and inner windings Ia and Id, and 2a and 2d, is formed entirely from a single continuous length of wire beginning with the lead Ib and ending with the lead 2b. Similarly, the coil unit B comprising the coils 3 and 4, each having their respective outer and inner windings 3a and 3d, and 4a and M, is entirely formed of a single continuous length of wire beginning with the lead 31) and ending with the lead 42). The coil units A and B, each made of a single continuous length of wire, eliminate the necessity for a solder connection, or other mechanical connection, between the ends of the coils I and 2, or 3 and 4, required to be interconnected. As will be apparent, the continuous crossover Ie forms the electrical connection between the coils I and 2 of the coil unit A, and likewise the continuous cross-over 3e forms the electrical connection between the coils 3 and 4.

The machine of my invention for winding the coil units A and B, each entirely from a respective single length of wire, will now be described.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 10 and 11, the machine of my invention comprises a base IE! to which are suitably secured the vertical standards II and I2, the upper ends Ila and IZa of which form bearings for the hollow shafts I 3 and I4, respectively. Coil forming spools generally designated I5 and I6 are respectively secured to the shafts I3 and I4. Gears I1 and Il" are keyed to the rear ends of the shafts I3 and, respectively. The gears I1 and I1 mesh with a gear I8 secured to a drive shaft I9 adapted to be driven by a suitable source of power, not shown, for rotating the hollow shafts I3 and I4.

Extending through the hollow shaft I4 is a driven shaft comprising the shaft parts 20 and 2 I, which shaft parts are suitably clutched together by means of the tongue 2% entering groove 2Ib. Extending through the hollow shaft I3 is a similar driven shaft comprising shaft parts corresponding tothe shaft parts zol-andl 2 l the outershaft apart 2 I or which is seen inFigures 1, i0, andlll. The outer shaft parts 2i and- 2l aof thelinner driven shafts are i suitably journaled intthe uppereends of standards 221ands!3,.respectively,wwhich are movably secured to the base member 4 0. l For-the latter purpose eachofvthe standards 22 and 23 are provided with their; respective foot portions 22a and 23a mounted for. sliding :movement introspective channels provided, inthe :base member--10; Cam operatedlocking means including the cam levers 24 and'24 are respectivelyprovided onthe foot y portions 2 2a b and 23a for, locking themovable standards 22 and 23 in respective adjusted-positions relative tothe base member 10. The camoperated locking means-for eachlof the standards 22 and 23 are identical audit will therefore sufiice to describe one onlyof said rmeans asvprovided on the standard22, the. details of which are showntin Figures2 and 9. 1 Pivotallyisecured between-the forked cam elements ct-and 24b, as by-means of the pivot pin 25, is aclamping membertzliextending through a slotor-recessdnthefoot member 22a, in and having'at its lower .end anlenlarged clamping element 26a located in a suitable recess 21 in the base member l -0.

It will be apparent, thattwhenlthe'cam lever 24 is moved in a clockwise direction lFigure 2) around the pivot 25,- this.will;.relieve the clamping engagement of the clamping elementllia with respect to the upper wallofthe recess- 2] and perunit the standard 22 to beshifted lengthwise of the recess 21, engaging the nut 28 on the outer end of the shaft partmzls-to unclutch shaft partsWZO and -2 I. i

Supply spool carryingiarms; 29 land-L30 are respectively keyed to'shaftH-parts 2l =andfi2l for rotation with the respective. innerodriven shafts. The oppositeendsof the arms and 3.0 carry respective wire supply spools-island whichvare mounted for rotation relative to their respective arms about the of the-respective hub 31b or 3212.

The inner driven @s'hafts for --rotating :supply spool carrying arms 29 and 30: are driven through suitablegearing from theisame "source of power which drives the hollow shafts l3 and I4 For this purpose, shaft part 2ll lhasnkeyed thereto-a gear 33, and .the corresponding shaft part extendin through the hollow shaft l3 likewise. haskeyed thereto a gear 34,. the gears 33 and 3 l-meshingl with a gear. 35,-which latter gear is keyed to the shaft [9 driven, as above-mentioned,; by a-suitable. source of power, not shown.- t'Ih'us it willbe-apparent that the inner'driven shaft-comprising the shaft parts 20 andll when olutchedtogethenwill rotateindependently of theouterhollow shaft l 4, though the inner and outer shafts are driven irom the. same sourceof power;

The coil formingspoois 1.5 and-l6 are respec tively secured to the outer-hollow shafts-l3. and M}: and are separable sectional ,spoolsof iidenticalconstruction, so that-thedescription vof one will serve to describe-the others. zFiguresfi-zto 7- and ll will now be referredto As shown best in the above flgureslthecoil forming spool comprisesthe; separable sections' laand l5b,yeach havingrespective-outer flange portions 150 and; 15d which serve :tozeonfine be tween them the wirerfed. tfljhflrcQfl formingspool; in the winding operation ;and-"-whiclr is wound upon'the intermediate-huh or-cord-iportions'oi-saidi spool sections lid. and; lib; ,The intermediate-hub; portions of the coil formingspool i5 have formedtherein a diagonal erooueior recess-45c, a portion.

of which is formed in the intermediate-minnow tion l5f of the hub'section i5a ,-and a portion of which groove Hie is formedin the hub portion 15g of the spoolsection lib; The spool sections 15a and iEbof coil form I5 are separable along-the center of the'groove [5e as indicated by the line l5r. The groove lie-extends diagonally across coil form 15 atan angle to the, rotational axis -of the latter.

Locking means is provided for holding the spool sections l5a and I5!) together, and-this locking means may comprise a pin 36 permanently connected to the spool section l5b and adaptedvto enter a hole provided in the: spool section 15a;

further comprises a lockingvscrew 3'1, the shank of which extends through sultableopenlngs provided in the sections l5a and 'il5bof the spool I5, said screw shank beingformed witha bayonet slot 31a adapted to cooperate with a pin or projection 38, so that when the shankof the locking screw is inserted through the holein the sections a and IE1) and rotatedby means of a handle 311), the spool sections will be locked "together by cooperation of the ,pin '38 with the bayonet slot 31a.

The method of winding the coil unit A upon the coil winding machine of my invention will now be described, with particular reference .to Figures 10, 11, and 15, and 26. v

For the purpose of winding the coil unit'A, the lead end 2b of the wire is ledlon the supply spool 3i and inserted in a notch 3lalprovided in the flange side of said spool; Now the spool 3! is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 10) until a sufficlent length of wire has been wound about the supply spool 3| to constitute the outer Winding 2a of coil 2. The additionalcontinuous predetermined length of wire necessary to form the other three windings, including-the'cross-overs and end lead lb, is now measured offv and the suitable manner above'the machine mid-way be tween coil forms l5 and it. The lead end lb of the wire is then inserted in the slot 320: provided in the flange side of the supply spool '32. Now the spool 32 is rotated in a counter-clockwise.

direction (Figure 10) to wind upon the supply spool 32 a length of wire-sufficient to constitute the outer winding Ia of the coil I. Nextthe por-'' tion to of the wire is clamped 'ln the groove 15c of the coil forming spool I5.

With the wire disposed as just describedthe machine is now started so as to rotate the drive shaft l9 so as to drive the 'gears' l8 and 35 in thetdirection of the aI'IOWS ih' Figure '10. This will? cause the gears 11 andiw'to rotate in the direction of the arrows (Figure '10), causing counter-clockwise#rotationof the coil forming spools l5 and IE. At the-same time,-the gear 35 Will rotate the gears 33 and '34 "in thes'ame" direction asgears H. and 41, and this will cause the arms '29 and 30 likewise to rotate in a counter clockwise direction (Figure '10) about-the axes of shafts 2i. and 2|, to whichisaid' arms'29 and 3|)- are respectively secured.

The rotation of the-conforming spcols 'li and IE serves-to windupon coil form 15 adiacen-tthe 7:5 flange portion l5d thereof the winding ld-of eoil' as seen best in Figure 3. The-locking means 7, I, the rotation of coil form I6 serving at the same time to wind upon the latter coil form adjacent the flange portion IBd thereof the winding "2d of coil 2. Simultaneously, the arms 29 and 3|] are being rotated in the same direction as coil forms I and I6, but at twice the speed of rotation of coil forms I5 and I6, so that the arms 29 and 30 make two revolutions for one revolution of the coil forms I5 and I6. Rotation of the arm 29 in the same direction as, and about the axis of, the coil form 6 serves to pay off wire from the supply spool 3| so as to wind upon the coil form I6 adjacent the flange portion I60 thereof the winding 2a of coil 2 in side by side or face to face relation to the winding 2d of coil 2 being simultaneously wound upon coil form I6. Similarly, rotation of the arm 30 in the same direction as, and about the axis of, coil form I5 serves to pay off wire from the supply spool 32 to wind upon the coil form I5 adjacent the flang portion I5c thereof the winding Ia of coil in side by side or face to face relation to the winding Id of coil I being simultaneously wound upon the coil form I5.

It is notable that since the windings Ia and Id of coil I are being simultaneously wound upon coil form I5 in side by side or face to face relation, and the windings 2a and 2d of coil 2 are being simultaneously wound upon coil form I6 in side by side or face to face relation, it is necessary that the arms 29 and 36 rotate at twice the speed of rotation of the coils I5 and I6, as otherwise rotation of the arms 29 and 30 would not serve to wind wire upon the coil forms I5 and I6 to provide the outer windings I a and 211, respectively, of the coils I and 2. The gearing 33, 35, and 3-4 is therefore designed to produce a speed of rotation of the shafts 2| and 25' which is twice the speed of rotation of the hollow shafts I3 and I4 to which the coil forms I5 and I6 are secured and which latter rotation is produced by the gearing II, I8, I'I'.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the winding of the windings Ia and Id of coil I upon coil form I5, and the winding of windings 2a and 2d of coil 2 upon coil form I5 all takes place simultaneously, so that the windings of coils I and 2 are completed at the same time by the operation of the machine of m invention. During the operation of the machine to wind the wire upon the coil forms I5 and It, the portion Ie of the wire clamped by the clamp means 40 will be pulled downwardly as permitted by the suspension of the light spring 4! from which the clamp means 40 is suspended. Figure 26 illustrates the condition of the wire when the operation of the machine is completed, and shows the winding of the coil unit A in a nearly completed condition, with the mid section of the wire form ing the cross-over Ie drawn down toward the machine extending from the spring 4| from which the mid section Ie of the wire is suspended.

When the machine has formed the coils I and 2 in the condition indicated in Figure 26, the operation of the machine is discontinued, and, prior to the removal of the coils I and 2 from the coil forming spools I5 and I6, small tying wires 45 may be inserted through the slots I5h in the flange portion I5d of the coil forming spool I5, and similar Wires 45 may be inserted through the corresponding slots of the flange portion IBd of the coil forming spool I6, these wires 45 engaged around the coils I and 2 and the ends of the tying wires suitably twisted so as to hold the windings of the coils I and 2 in the condition indicated in Figure 26.

' After the tying wires have been inserted and tied around the coils I and 2, removal of the coils I and 2 from the coil forms I5 and I6 may be effected as follows: The cam lever 24 will be rotated in a clockwise direction (Figure 2) around its pivot 25, to release the clamping element 26a from clamping relation with the base member III, so that the standard 22 may be moved to the left, referring to Figure 2. Leftward movement of the standard 22 will cause disconnection of shaft section 2| from shaft section 20 by engagement of the standard 22 with the nut 28 carried on the end of the shaft section 2|. Prior to leftward movement of the standard 22, the handle 31b of the locking screw 31 will be rotated to cause the pin or projection 38 to be alined with the longitudinally extending portion of the bayonet slot 31a under which condition the section I6a of the coil forming spool I6 may be moved leftwardly referring to Figure 2 simultaneously with the leftward movement of the standard 22 to cause separation of the sections 16a and I6?) of the coil forming spool as well as separation of the shaft sections 20 and 2|, so that the parts will now be in the condition of Figure 24, permitting removal of the coil wound upon the intermediate or core portions of the coil forming spool I6. In like manner, the standard 23 may be moved relative to the base II] and the sections Ilia and I5?) of the coil forming spool I5 may be separated after actuation of the locking means to unlock the sections of the coil forming spool I5.

In this connection it will be noted that the bearing 60 may fairly tightly engage coil form part Ifia and shaft part 2| so that when the standard 22 is moved leftwardly, after release of the locking means, the parts will assume the condition of Figure 24. For a similar reason, like movement of standard 23, after release of the locking means, may cause the corresponding parts to assume a similar condition.

When the coil forms I5 and I6 and shaft sections 20 and 2| and the corresponding shaft sections relating to arm 30 are all in the condition illustrated by Figure 24, it will be apparent that coils I and 2 may be removed from the machine substantially in the condition illustrated in Figure 26. Now in order to finish the coil unit A to the condition of Figure 15, it is only necessary to rotate coil in counterclockwise direction (Figure 26) to the dotted line position of the latter figure, thus adding to winding Id of coil I a portion of the slack wire Ie extending between coils I and 2. The lead 2b is then wound around winding 2a of coil 2 to place lead 212 in the dotted line position of Figure 26, thereby finishing the coil unit to the condition of Figure 15.

The coil unit B may be wound upon the machine of my invention in a manner similar to that described in reference to the winding of the coil unit A. For the purposes of winding the coil unit B, however, the sectional spools I-5 and IE will be removed from the machine when the parts are in the condition of Figure 24, and coil forming spools of the form of spool illustrated in Figure 25 will be substituted for the spools I5 and I 6. The coil forming spools 50 are of the same construction as spools I5 and I6 except that the groove 50c, corresponding to the grooves |5e and IIie of the coil forming spools I5 and I6, and a portion of which groove 506 is formed in each of the hub or core portions 50g and 50] of the respective spool sections 50a and 50b, extends diagonally across the hub or core sections 50 and F9 50 in an oppos" ite d mer-warren the direction in whiclith cdrfesporiding groove extends across the hub or core rim-ems of 'th coil 'foririingspools,

i "For the winding of con amt- B msnecessar to 'usethe sp'dol of th form'ofispooliw with the oppositely :ais'posea diago'mvgroove 511a because the windings 0f coils 3" "and 4- ofcan Unit B" are Wound in oppoite directions from the directions tionin reverse *directionfromthe direction "in Whi'chit is" operated for-purposes oiwinding'the coil unit Ay thatis to say; -thedi'i've shaft 19 will be rotated in' the reverse direction from: that above described, so 'as to cause gears 34 and I1, and gears '33 and F1"to-he rotated in a' clockwise direction, referring tdFigdi'e l0,"{which' 'is in a direotionopposite" to the direction of the arrows indieated 'in Figure Thus; irithe operation of the machine of mfinvention for the winding of coil unit B, the coil forming spoolstfl and the supply spool carrying arms 29 and 3!] will ailbe rotated ina clookvjisedirection, referring 'to Figure -10; OtIierti'ian as aboveindic'ated; the operation "of the machine*otinyinvention will he the samefor' the' windlngbf'elther 't'he'boll imilf'A or thecoil u'nit B. V

i It will be notedwith'regardto the'w'ln'ding' of either the c'oil iin'itAi'orfcoilnhit'B tliatifor the insertion of the portionof-thef'wire correspondin 'td-the'pornons -'I 20130; or 40, into the mag-- onal groovese, l 6e;'*or-'50e'ofthecoil forming spools, it'isneoess'ary to slightly's'eparate the; sections" of sasidcoil firming" Spoor-w en the 'sections' are nnlock'ed i and" after the respective ortion' of the wire is posit oned: in-the respective groove formed-'-partially- 'in" eachof the hub or core sections"ofrespectlve coil= forming spools, the said se ctions of the r'e'specti-ile spool will" be moved together-"so that? the s'ides of the' groove clamp the respective pottion 'of the wire disposed therein, whereupon the "spoolsectiohs are'lo bked together by 'actn'a'tion oi the' locking-member 31. In the locking actiia'tionbf the locking member 37; the sections 'such 'aa "l5a and'l5fioi the coil forming spools will be drawn together by the cooperativeaction of thehay'onet slot 31a with the pin-=01. projection 38," Sd-thatthe portiofl0f the wire clisposed in' the groove formed in the hub or core'portions of the coil 'forming'spbm will'be tightly clamped th'erein.

"An additional feature bf niyinventionisillustrated in Figuresl2 to 'lin'cli'is'ive, relating to means for guiding 'and pressing the a 1 wire into positionupon the hubor coreportions' of the coil forming spool dii'i'ing 'the" winding"- of the coils thereon. The use of' suchguiding'and pressing means maybe desirable 'or advantageous-where the coils to be formedor'woiindirrthe operation of the machine of my ii'ivention -iitilize a very heavy wire not otherwise ""rnade readily conformable to the winding-of thecoilin' a'i'ectang'nlar' or other appropriate"configiiration, asdeterminecl by the configuration of the hub 'or eore portions Of theCoiIforming spobls. V

As shown in Figure-12 tol4," the wire guiding and I pressing means comprises a l plurality of spring pressed fingers certain of which are carried by' flxed parts of the "mach ne-and certain other of which fingers areca'rried y tliefirot'atable;supply-' spoomarrym arms; -Si-I1'ce Figure provided with a li11g 12*is a view shov'ving s orten of-"the machine similar to Figure 11 ahd the corresponding parts bear t e -'same refereiices, jthey' iviu not be further' d'escribed. Inl'iiire 12, 'fthestandard lli's- W having an aperture in which: is received the ;shanlfor'stud; Bio of a spring pressed 'finger -bfadaptecitfto engage the,

wire Id which is tdconstitiite the inner windin of the coil fbih spool- Y I 5 For t nndfon the coiljfforming Y rpose-the spring 52 normallv'urgesthe finger 5 l'bfin'to engageme t with thewire. Extending flornfthe npper shaft housmg portion 'r lebjothejstanda'ra 1| is; another lug 53 similarly provided? with an opening receiving theIshanRjQa-of a angers: normally pressed by thespring' is etse agemehi with'thewire 1a., The supply spoolf'carryingarxzitfl is provided with lugs-*ifia'rid 51f similarly movably receiving the shanks 58a and flmofspringpressed fingers i a ar-'59 adaptedto'en gagefthefwire la which lSliO 'constitiite the' quterfwinding of the coil wonndfuia'on'; the coiPfforming 'spool l5. The fingers 51 b, "54, 58 oheraltetmg uide and press said Wire onto the rspectivefc'orej portions of said spool-in meet-swam the machine.

From {the foregoing'itfwlll"he] seen that the machineand method rw'in in the coil units of my invention; are capable "off'performing the rather complicated-i ope'ratibn"ofwinding coil ii'nitseach comprising "two eons" of opposite po- Iarity, each coil-eonsisting"ofianinfieriand an oi terwinding, all "fonnd simultaneously from a continuous single lentt iofvv ire; 1n a'v'ery efiiolht and'expedltidiis manner, ItWl11 beholled that the coil unit wound iipo'n "the, machine of my finventionffinf accordance with the" method abovedescribed-hasterminal"leads such as lb and 2b and a cross ovensfieh' as. le intercon nesting-the" co'ils l and 2,1 all located in conven ient positions having-in mind the requirements when mountin the jcoilsf ina'n electric motor housing. In; this connection itmay "be menfloneq thatj the few boltseniployed for interconnecting the parts' of 'the'j'motor housing, usually have to pass between' the respective 'coils, such as f and gfof a coiliiriiflsiichas"'A, and in order-wors ning the-ciihhctiOh ofthe lead terminals 'of" the coils to the'lirii'shes or to positive and"negamve trmma fof thehifotor, it is desirableandnecessary that the'terminal ends of the coil"sho'uld belocatedinconvenient positions for this purpose, and that the cross-over such as le interconnecting"the 'collsfsneh' as I and 2 should be positioned sd as' 'n'ot todnterfere with the passage-bf thesc'i'ewbolts? interconnecting the housing 'parts of the motor unit. The winding of the'coil finitupOn thern'aGhine '01- myinvention and in "accordance with the method above described is-" admirably siiited to the foregoingpurpose.

- It will beappaieni: thatfih accordance with the principles'of "the'machinandfmethod of my invention, more men-"two coils; each having two side by side windings, may b"woiindfsimiiltaneously from '-a"'single minimum length of wire by increasing the number'ofs'etsoi rotatable coil forms and arms 'rotatablejabont therotational axes of said coil "forms, which'set's may be disposed intermediate the" two sets specifically illustrated herein, all setsbeings'irniiltaneonsly operated in the sameeooidifiated relationship; the wire extending interm'dlatatlie "coil forms l5 and IB'beiiig tralned over the-simply s'pools and.

coil forms-0f the intermediate sbtsf,- and the wire' 11' at its mid-point bya respective clamp 40 suspended from a respective spring 4|.

,It will be understood that in the drawings the parts of coil forms I 6 and 50 corresponding to the parts of coil form [5, designated I511, I51], I50, l5d, l5e, l5f and l5g, are correspondingly designated as [6a, I 6b, etc., and 50a, 50b, etc. It may be noted also that the locking means designated 36, 31, 38 and described with reference to coil form I5 is similarly incorporated in the coil forms i6 and 50 and designated by the same reference characters on the drawings.

In the threading of the wire onto the machine, and before the latter is started into operation, an extra turn or portion of a turn of wire may be wound on one of the coil forms l5 or IE to constitute a portion of the inner winding of one of the coils of the coil unit being wound on the machine, in order to compensate for extra wire added to the corresponding winding of the other coil of said coil unit in the finishing operation which is accomplished after the coils are removed from the machine in a condition similar to that illustrated by Figure 26.

During the winding of the coil unit on the machine of my invention, the mid-point of the wire is yieldably suspended, as above mentioned, preferably under a constant tension. For this purpose the spring 4| is secured to a cable 6| trained over pulleys 62 and 63 rotatably mounted above the machine in any suitable manner. To the other end of the cable 6| is attached a weight 64. Thus the degree of tension on the wire will be the same, or constant, throughout the winding operation.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of rotatable coil forms, a member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of one of said coil forms, a second member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of the other coil form, a respective spool rotatably carried by each respective member aforesaid, said spools being adapted to carry portions of a continuous length of wire, and said coil forms having means to clamp respective portions of said'wire, means for rotating said coil 'forms in the same rotational direction, and means for rotating said members in the same rotational direction as the coil forms.

2. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of rotatable coil forms, a member rotatable in an orbit' about the axis of rotation of one of said coil forms, a second member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of the other coil form, a respective spool rotatably carried by each respective member aforesaid, said spools being adapted to carry portions of a continuous length of wire, and said coil forms having means to clamp respective portions of said wire, means for resiliently suspending a portion of the wire intermediate said coil forms, means for rotating said coil forms in the same rotational direction, and means for' rotating said members in the same rotational direction as the coil forms.

3. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a rotatable coil form, a member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of said coil form, a spool carrying a coil of wire and rotatably carried by said member, said coil form having means for clamping a portion of the wire carried by said spool, means for yieldably suspending a portion of said wire extending from said spool, means for rotating said coil form, and means for rotating said member in the same rotational direction as the coil form.

4. The method of winding a coil which comprises winding one end ef a predetermined length of wire upon a spool, securin a portion of said length of wire intermediate its ends to a coil form, resiliently suspending a portion of said length of wire extending from said coil form to wind the latter portion of Wire thereon, rotating said coil form, and moving said spool in an orbit about the axis of rotation of said coil form to wind the wire from the spool onto the coil form.

5. The method of winding a coil which comprises winding one end of a predetermined length of wire upon a spool, securing a. portion of said length of wire intermediate its ends to a coil form so that the portion of wire so secured extends across said coil form at an angle to the rotational axis thereof, resiliently suspending a portion of said length of wire extending from said coil form to wind the latter portion of Wire thereon, rotating said coil form, and moving said spool in an orbit about the axis of rotation of said coil form to Wind the wire from the spool onto the coil form.

6. The method of winding'a coil which comprises winding one end of a predetermined length of wire upon a spool, securing a portion of said length of Wire to a coil form so as to extend across the latter at an angle to the rotational axis thereof, resiliently and yieldably suspending a portion of said length of wire extending from said coil form, rotating said coil form to wind the latter portion of wire thereon, and moving said spool in an orbit about the axis of rotation of said coil form in the same rotational direction as that of said coil form and at an orbit revolution speed twice the rotational speed of the coil form to wind the wire from the spool onto the coil form.

7. The method of Winding a coil which comprises winding one end of a predetermined length of wire upon a spool, Winding the opposite end of said wire upon a second spool, securing a portion of said wire adjacent the first spool to a coil form, securing a portion of said wire adjacent the second spool to a second coil form, rotating said coil forms, and moving said spools in respective orbits about the axes of rotation of said coil forms.

8. The method of winding a coil which comprises Winding one end of a predetermined length of wire upon a spool, winding the opposite end of said Wire upon a second spool, securing a portion of said wire adjacent the first spool to a coil form so as to extend across said coil form at an angle to the rotational axis thereof, securing a portion of said wire adjacent the second spool to a second coil form so as to extend across the latter coil form at an angle to the rotational axis thereof, resiliently suspending the wire intermediate said coil forms, rotating said coil forms in the same direction at the same speeds, and moving said spools in respective orbits about the axes of rotation of said coil forms in the same rotational direction as said coil forms, and at an orbit revolution speed twice the rotational speed of said coil forms.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coil form comprises separable core portions.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coil form comprises separable core portions, and locking means for detachably connecting said core portions in integral relation.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the 0011 form comprises separabl core portions, and locking means for detachably connecting said core portion in integral relation, said core portions having meeting recessed edges to provide a wire receiving groove adapted to clamp wire disposed therein when said edges of said core portions are disposed in meeting relation.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first means comprises a groove formed in said coil form and diagonally extending across the same at an angle to the rotational axis thereof.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first means comprises a groove formed in said coil form and diagonally extending across the same at an angle to the rotational axis thereof, and means for rotating said coil form and said member in the same rotational direction at diflerent respective rotational speeds.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a groove formed in each respective coil form and extending diagonally across the same at an angle to the rota-' tional axis thereof.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a groove formed in each respective coil form and extending diagonally across the same at an angle to the rotational axis thereof, and said rotating means effecting a rotational speed of said members different from the rotational speed of said coil forms, and means for tensionally suspending a portion of said wire intermediate said coil forms.

16. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a coil form secured thereto for rotation therewith, a second shaft rotatable coaxially with the first shaft and comprising separable shaft parts, and means for detachably interconnecting said parts, a member secured to one of said shaft parts for rotation therewith, a spool carrying a coil of wire and rotatably carried by said member, said coil form comprising core portions, means for moving one of said shaft parts axially relative to the other for detachment therefrom, and means on the axially movable shaft part engageable with one of said core portions for separating the same from the other core portion.

17. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of rotatable coil forms, a member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of one of said coil forms, a second member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of the other coil form, a respective spool rotatably carried by each respective member aforesaid, said spools being adapted to carry portions of a continuous length of wire, and said coil forms having means to clamp respective portions of said wire, means for rotating said coil forms in the same rotational direction, and means for rotating said members in the same rotational direction as the coil forms and at twice the rotational speed of said coil forms.

18. In a, machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of rotatable coil forms, a member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of one of said coil forms, a second member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of the other coil form, a respective spool rotatably carried by each respective member aforesaid, said spools being adapted to carry portions of a continuous length of wire, and said coil forms having means to clamp respective portions of said wire, means for resiliently suspendin a portion of the wire intermediate said coil forms, ea s for rotating said coil forms in the same rotational direction, and means for rotating said members in the same rotational direction as the coil forms and at twice the rotational speed of said coil forms.

19. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of rotatable coil forms, a member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of one of said coil forms, a second member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of the other coil form, a respective spool rotatably carried by each respective member aforesaid, said spools being adapted to carry portions of a continuous length of wire, and said coil forms having means to clamp respective portions of said wire, means for resiliently suspending a portion of the wire intermediate said coil forms, means for rotating said coil forms in the same rotational direction, and means for rotating said members in the same rotational direction as the coil forms and at twice the rotational speed of said coil forms.

20. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a rotatable coil form, a member rotatable in an orbit about the axis of rotation of said coil form and in the plane thereof, a, spool carrying a coil of wire and rotatably carried by said member, said coil form having means for clamping a portion of the wire carried by said spool, means for yieldably suspendin a, portion of said wire extending from said spool, means for rotating said coil form, and means for rotating said member in the same rotational direction as the coil form.

CLIFFORD A, MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,278,043 Simpson July 3, 1918 1,503,272 Lewellyn July 29, 1924 1,832,427 Roller Nov. 17, 1931 1,953,502 Reimers Apr. 3, 1934 1,995,916 Collins Mar. 26, 1935 1,997,098 Beegle Apr. 9, 1935 2,011,114 Papin Aug. 13, 1935 2,353,957 Frid July 18, 1944 

